Okay. SB 6 is in the past. Now focus on retirement benefits

That means you, all you teachers who have called the Gradebook inquiring about the fate of the myriad bills dealing with benefits this session.

Sure, Gov. Crist's veto gave Florida school teachers much to cheer. But those smiles could turn to tears for many, the Florida Education Association warns, if teachers don't turn their attention to retirement-oriented bills still moving through the Legislature.

"Although the 30 retirement bills introduced in this 2010 Legislative Session has whittled down to just a couple of active ones, we must remain vigilant in our opposition to changes in FRS retirement benefits," the FEA warns in a new alert.

HB 5701 would eliminate some retiree health insurance benefits. SB 2022 would require employee contributions into the Florida Retirement System for the first time in decades.

About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.